Channel structure for tonneau panels



Jan. 30, 1923.

. 1,443,484. I. LEDWINKA. CHANNEL SFRUCTURE FOR TONNEAU PANELS. FILED FEB. 27, l9l9.

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Patented Jan. 30, 1923.

UNITED STATES PATENT OFFICE;

Jasmin EnwmxA. 0F PHILADELPHIA, PENNSYLVANIA. ASSIGNGR 'ro EDWARD G.

BUDD MANUFACTURING company, or PHILADELPHIA,PENiisYLvAmA. A con- PORATION' OF PENNSYLVANIA.

Application filed February 27 1919. Serial No. 279,583

'1' all :Hmmif "my (mum/"1:

lie it known that l. Joann-n ld-IHWIXKA. a ritizen of the lnited States. residing at Philadelphia. in the eounty of lhiludelp'hiin State of Pennsylvania. lHH'l' uiude a rertain new and useful luri-nli u in (haunel Strurtures for 'lonneau Panels (Vasiof which the following is a-speritiration.

This invention relates to rhalnu-l strurtures for ton u-au panels, and mrticuh|r|y to the. atria-lure for channels eu|p|o \'ed' at the upper edge of a touneuu or sent hark panel for ilutomnhih-s.

r The objert of the invention is tn provide a channel strurture for the upper edgiof n tonneuu or 'seat bark panel whivh is r trou';

and durable. neat and nightly and ull'ord u distini-tive finish for HIH'lI upper edge, and at the same time forming a ronrvnient means for the npplirution and :itturhuu-ut of the upholstery to the panel.

Further oberts of the invention will appear more fully hereinafter.

The invention consists substantially in the construction, eoiuhiluitioin inflation, and relative arrangement of parts, all as will be mure fully hereiniifter set forth, as shown in the arrompanying drawing, and finally pointed out in the appended claims.

Fig. l is H. view in side elevation of an automobile tonneuu or seat back panel having a rlulnnel structure applied thereto in urrordanre with my inventioi Fig. 2 is a broken view in 'ertical sertion thro i h the upper why of the panel on the line ,X. Fig. l.

Fig. 3 is a View siuiilar to Fig. 2 showing a slightly modified arrangement embodying the principles of my in vention.

ln tha dra'wing mferenee numeral 5 desigmites a tonne-nu or seat hark panel for automobiles. This panel may be of any suitahle material and may be stamped or bent to any desired shape. style or outline. A sheet steel panel well serves the purpose. At its upperedge the panel 5 is bent or 0H- set outwardly as indira ted at 6. :iliuongh this feature IS not essential. 'lluvgztrenie upper edge of the panel is hent or folded Over laterally and inwardly to form a flange 7 Applied to the upper edgyof the panel. formed as above \lesrrilied. is a rhannel member 8. This rhannel member is formed ul' ;1 short filt'l'l stamping. In the arrangement shown in Fig. 2 the channel member 8 is in the form of an inverted rhann'el whirh lils over and rest-s upon the. iuturned lateral Hangi- T of the panel one edge J .ol' -mid rlmuuel lilting against the exterior aurlm-e of the panel adjuveut its upper edge. 01 against the exterior surfarv of the il'- Stl. portion 6 where the panel is formed with surh an oflwt portion.

In the arraugenu-nt shown in Fig. '3 the nu-uiher l0 is of suhstm-itiully Z-shupe in oss sm-tmn. one edge of which its into the llll 'l'ifll' angle formed by bending over lateral the flange T of the mueLlhe edge flange pultinl! ll of the luelnlwr l0 fitting against the interior surface of the panel. or of the ntl'set portion where snrli oll'set portion is' employed and the other flange 12 of the said member opens upwardly.

In either of the arranijenienta of Figs. 2 or ii the vhauuel member 8 or the member 1", as the rimmay he, the panel and flange are sec-ured together by weldinp or otherwise.

From the foregoing desrription it will be seen that I provide an exceudingl simple and ollirient channel structure fgr t m upper edge of a tnnneau or sent hark panel or body nhirh is economical to manufurture and whirh is strong and durable and )resents' a neat and sightly appeariinee. he cha-nr lltl strurturesdescribed also allon aecomtending flange. at its upper edge, of a meJnher conforming lbngitndinnlly the curvature of the panel and, apilied to'said flange and having a rtion t er eof fn ing and secured to t e side surface (if t a panel, said member forming a seat for the application of upholszteryv 2. The romhinution with a sheet metal puui-l bent or stamped into the required cent the angle of said flange and panel, and

she and curvature to forinthe sides and bac of a tonneau or seat, and having a laterally extending flange at its upper-edge, 'ofa member applied against and secured to said panel the angle formed by said flange and the upholstery, said member being curved longit inally to conform to the curvature of sai panel.

3. The combination with a sheet metal panel bent or stamped into the r uired shape and curvature to form the si es and back of a tonneau or seat, and having aninturned laterall extending flange at its upper edge, of a c annel member longitudinally bent or stamped to conform to the curvature of the upper edge of the panel and applied against and secured to the said inturned flan e, and having one edge thereof applied to t e exterior surface of the panel adjah tiy to aflord a seat to receive Met-3.

forming a downwardly opening channel to receive the upholstery.

4. In an automobile body, the combination with a sheet metal panel curved to form the sides and back of a seat, said panel having a laterally-extending flange at its up r" edge, of an upholstery receiving mem er curved lon itudinally to conform to the curvature o the upper edge of said panel,

said'member having a.vertical portion applied and rigidly secured to the u per, ver-- JOSEPH 'LEDWINKA. 

